Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2017

Thursday, 9 February 2017

Ceisteanna (225)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

225. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is a 100% penalty on payments such as ANC in cases in which the sheep census is not returned by the appointed date; if he has the flexibility to consider a graduated system of penalties as is the case with other late penalties applied to payments; the current regulatory requirements regarding such penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6582/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Terms and Conditions of the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme set out the requirement for applicants, where applicable, to count the sheep/goats present in the flock on their holding and to return this number to the Department via the annual sheep/goat census. The return of this census is a legal obligation. The relevant EU Regulation which applies is Regulation No. 21/2004.

This data is then used to verify whether or not the applicant has the required stocking density on his / her holding. The requirement to meet the minimum stocking level is an eligibility requirement of the scheme, and thus non-compliance results in an applicant not being eligible for payments.

In all cases of such non-compliances, it remains open to applicants to appeal such decisions to my Department and subsequently to the Agriculture Appeals Office.